The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-15
COL w. J. REYNOLDS.
The Story of N Wrecked Life-His Property
Left to n Negro Concubine.

Left to n Negro Concubine.
Columbia. =. O., Special.
A sensation has been caused in Sumter
county by the discovery that Col. VIM.
J. REYNOLDS, one Of the wealthiest
farmers in the State, has bequeathed the bulk OF
his fortune, estimated at about 5000, 600. to
whom he had lived for many years and to whose
children he is the father The story OF Col.
Reynolds life Is an interesting one Born IN
sumter county In 1906 OF honest industrious
and frugal parents, nfter receiving n good COM
mon school education he began life as planter.
Fortune favored him from the outset. and every
TO gold. Possessing genial disposi-
ton, he was one OF the most
popular young mon OF his district Fifty years
ago no became enamored OF one OF the loveliest
and most gifted young ladies OF the county, and
sought her hand in marriage. His suit at first
was looked upon with more than passing favor,
and he had good cause to believe that his love
was recinrocat ed. After awhile however. the lady
Influenced by her mother. rejected him, but the
ardent young lover would not take no for n hnai
answer He determined to make hiinseif more
worthy OF the object OF his affections and to try
again. Taking leading part In all matters OF
pablo welfare he was elected to represent his
days, was composed OF the wealth. talent and
chivalry OF the proud Palmetto State. He at
once made n record for himself. and ere the
close OF his hrst term he was reconized as one
OF the leaders Of the House. Returning home.
elated by his In the councils OF his State.
he renewed his suit for the hand OF the
Nothing daunted by those reverses, after being
reelected the second time to the General AS
sembly he again wooed the FAR ono ITO TO whom
success seemed to crown his efforts. The par
ents withdrew their opposition TO his suit, and
the lady finally accepted him. The nuptial day
was appoir ted, the wedding garments were or
dered, the presents purchased, and every prepa-
ration was made for the happy event One day,
PEELED by the reception of a formal note from
his afiapced bride, notifying him that In obedi-
ence to tho wishes OF her mother. she had recon
sidered her acceptance OF his hand and fortune,
and she could never. under any circumstances,
become his wife. The blow was heavy one for
young Reynolds, and it changed the entire
course Of his life.
AT frst he was plunged into the depths of
despair; his grief seemed to be greater than he
could bear. He neglected his business and wan
dered listlesey over his plantations, seeming
oblivious to everything around him, Gazing OF
whether he lived died He soon. however,
became somewhat reconcied to his fats and
finally sought consolation from comely negro
woman. who was one of his slaves. and laying
his aching head upon her bosom. he took her for
his illegitimate wife and lived with her TO the
eud as a social outcast. utterly indifferent alike
relations. He continued to cultivate his ex-
tensive lands and to accumulate money and valua-
BILE real estate, and at the time OF his death he
was generally regarded the richest farmer in the
State. He reared a large family Of mulatto chill
dren, and provided well for all OF them Sew
erai OF these children have received liberal cdu-
public schools OF the State.
Two or three years before his death Colonel
Reynolds drew his will with his own hand and
bequeathed almost his entire fortune to his ne
gro concubine and his mi latto children This
will Colonel Reynoldss sisters and other rela-
tives will endeavor to invalidate and set aside,
but eminent lawyers who have looked into the
matter. give it as their opinion that the instru-
ment is legal in every pa ocular, and that the
indignant relatives must swallow their bitter
disappointment.
A striking illustration OF the irony Of fate is
to be found in the following incident in Colonel
Reynoldss career, related to your correspondent
by citizens OF Sumter, who are cognizant Of the
facts THE close of the late civil found
many Southern families, who had been reared
in affluence, reduced almost to the verge Of alb
ject poverty. Among these were the parents Of
the woman who had ruthlessy wrecked
Colonel Reynolds happiness But when the
father in his dilemma appealed to the wealthy
farmer for assistance, Reynolds not only
ceived him kindly and evinced no resentment,
but generously loaned him a sufficient sum of
money to relieve the immediate necessities Of
his family and to enable him to make fresh
start in life under the changed condition OF at
fairs The young lady who tilted Reynolds
finally married well-to-do citizen Of George
town county, and is still living.